The Force Criminal Investigation Department( (FCID), Abuja has reportedly detained the publisher of Taraba Truth and Facts newspaper and CEO of Rock FM Jalingo, Mr Ayodele Samuel Oloye following a petition by Senator Emmanuel Bwacha.
The lawmaker representing Taraba South Senatorial District who is also the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate in Taraba State in next year’s election had petitioned FCID asking it to investigate the media entrepreneur in Taraba State, alleging cyber-stalling, defamation of character and attempt at frustrating an ambition, among others.
According to Ayodele in an SMS sent on Monday morning: “I’m Ayodele Samuel, publisher of Taraba Truth and Facts Newspaper and CEO of Rock FM Jalingo, the first private FM radio station in Taraba State.
“I’m honouring a police invitation at the FCID, Abuja over a petition (I don’t know who the petitioners are or the content of the petition) but as a law-abiding citizen, I have to honour the invitation with a lawyer provided by the Media Rights Agenda (MRA).
“I feel it’s necessary to inform you and seek your support in case things go south.
Ayodele Samuel
25th July 2022
8.45 am”.
It’s important to note that, for almost a decade after his National Youth Service year in 2013, through constructive criticism, balance and objective reports, Ayodele Samuel has consistently deployed his journalistic and media skills to promote and advance the cause of Taraba State and Tarabans.
While responding to the petition, Ayodele noted that all he is doing in Taraba State and beyond in the course of his media duties are premised on objectivity, fairness, and human interest, while giving utmost consideration to individual rights and even posterity.
“That is while we’ve been succeeding. We started with Taraba Truth and Facts and now we established the first ever private owned commercial radio station in the state.
“Senator Bwacha, who started his radio station in Jalingo a few days ago, petitioned the Nigerian Police to investigate us, planning to keep me in police custody to cripple Rock FM. We heard he met the Inspector-General of Police one-on-one on this issue.
“It is demeaning to all Taraba South Senatorial District constituents and also the entire 9th National Assembly for a three-term senator to question why a Nigerian decides to live and operate a radio station in Taraba State
“So far, the police are doing their job with appreciable decency. We’re not afraid and no amount of intimidation would kill our love for the people” Ayodele was quoted to have said.